Fall festivals under way - Sept. 6-8

Fall festivals under way - Sept. 6-8

Unusual settings mark weekend events

Crowds on a trip on the Missionary Ridge Local watch a demonstration at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's Soule Shops, where volunteers repair and maintain train engines. Families can find entertainment, kids activities and more during Railfest there on Saturday and Sunday.

Cultural heritage celebrations in unusual settings -- antebellum farm, Methodist church camp and two train depots -- highlight the first big weekend of fall fairs and festivals for the season.

• Events observing the 150th anniversary of the Civil War's Battle of Chickamauga include a heritage festival at the Martin Davis farm in Chickamauga, Ga., near where the Battle of Davis' Crossroads took place. According to Chris McKeever, director of the 6th Cavalry Museum in Fort Oglethorpe, the 37th Tennessee Confederate Volunteer Infantry will set up camp complete with rifle firings and interpretive programs Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 7-8. The house will be open for tours, and themed entertainment will be performances of Civil War music.

• Musicians from across the Southeast are gathering in Loudon, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 7, for the annual Smoky Mountain Fiddlers Convention. The town is gearing up for an influx of about 3,000 visitors, says Clayton Pangle, executive director of the Loudon County Visitors Bureau. Between acts, visitors can browse the Smoky Mountain Arts and Crafts Festival at Legion Field or Memories on Mulberry antique show on the courthouse lawn.

"On Saturday, we'll have daylong competitions that narrow down competitors until the finals Saturday night. Total competition prizes this year total $5,500," says Pangle.

"A new feature this year is a liar's contest," he adds. "This is an outgrowth of a little table of guys at Mark's Diner in downtown Loudon. They had a table where they would tell tall tales. They named it the Liar's Table. It grew to the point a fellow said they should make a festival event of it."

• Find family fun closer to home at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, where Railfest is on track for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 7-8.

Railfest includes live entertainment, children's activities, operating model railroad displays, magic shows at 11 a.m. both days by Mike Edwards and -- of course -- train rides at the Cromwell Road depot.

Saturday's music tunes up at 10 a.m. with Savannah Roberts, followed by Dana Rogers at noon, then Lone Mountain Band from 2 to 5 p.m. Jazz is on tap Sunday, beginning with Scenic City Jazz Band at 10 a.m., Smooth Flight Jazz Mix at noon and Mason Dixieland Line from 2 to 5 p.m.

The museum's regular Missionary Ridge Local train will be making six runs on Saturday, five on Sunday during Railfest. However, an excursion train to Cleveland, Tenn., is also an option for festivalgoers. It's hosted by Norfolk Southern as part of its 21st Century Steam program. Two departure times are offered each day: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $45, which includes admission and train ticket. Seating is limited, so advance ticket purchase is encouraged.